Anyone here in direct sales?

amother

Sun, Jan 15 2012, 10:17 pm

It's not an unfamiliar scenario: a SAHM looking earn some extra income so she turns to direct sales. Companies such as AVON and Shaklee offer the chance to earn an extra income without leaving your house. Apparently you can earn quite a tidy sum and still be with the kids.

Is it really so straight forward? I'm thinking of taking a job in this area as we need more income to cover school fees, but I'm really not sure if I'm cut out for it.
How do you deal with cold calling, especially if the person on the other end is rude and abrupt? Do you every feel slightly embarrassed trying to get friends and family interested in the product? Signing up new clients every month sounds very hard. I can think of a number of people who might be interested in the product, but after a while I'd run out of fresh contacts.
Logistically, how do you work it when you have little ones at home with you?
Feedback please!

TwinsMommy

Mon, Jan 16 2012, 12:08 am

MLM and direct sales are very different, though they have a lot in common. Many direct sales companies are actually not multi level marketing companies.

I typically don't cold call. I call a lot of people I've never met before but it's because they signed up for a free skin care pampering session or makeover, or signed up for information about the opportunity via a survey or drop bag or online event, etc. With friends and family I find about 50% are interested and 50% aren't. The ones who aren't just simply aren't on my lists. The ones who are are it's kind of fun because work and friendship kind of mingle together and I'll be on the phone with someone for an hour and since we sprinkle some shop talk into our conversation, I consider it "working".

With the right training and upline and you learn as you go--- you never run out of fresh contacts-- if it's a product most people can use. And you're allowed to sell all over the USA. And you're willing to learn internet marketing.

With little kids----- when my twins were babies I was easily able to work while they napped. Now that they're 5 years old, special needs, and in preschool---- one twin goes to school in the morning and one goes to school in the afternoon--- PLUS we've got therapies and specialist appointments, etc etc. TYPICALLY I only work after bedtime these days--- but I also hire a babysitter for sunday mornings and monday afternoons (kids don't ever have school on mondays). Now and then in the afternoon while my son is playing by himself I can email or call a client or run a few invoices or credit cards. My daughter is much more needy and I never work when she's home and awake--- but clients come by to pick up products when she's home--- I just apologize for my crazy loud, disorganized home and people love it.